What the Minnesota Timberwolves lack in name recognition, they more than make up in production. Casual fans obviously know all-everything guard Anthony Edwards, the former No. 1 overall pick who remains one of the most entertaining players in the game today. But he’s by no means a one-man show.
The T’Wolves made it to the Western Conference finals last season thanks in large part to a well-constructed roster that boasts six different double-digit scorers. Pitting a stacked squad like that against the rebuilding Washington Wizards seems almost unfair.
Edwards was the main attraction in a dominant 141-115 victory over the Wizards, finishing with 35 points in just three quarters of action. At one point during the third quarter, an obnoxious fan sitting courtside yelled out to Edwards, encouraging him to finish the game with at least 40 points. The 24-year-old smiled and replied, “Naw. We don’t need 40 from me tonight.”
Timberwolves forward Julius Randle scored 22 points and veteran center Rudy Gobert controlled the paint with 18 points, 14 rebounds and four blocks for Minnesota. Wizards guard CJ McCollum scored 20 points on a night when the home team was overwhelmed from the jump. With many starters rested down the stretch, the Timberwolves still maintained control over the youthful lineup of the Wizards, leading by as much as 37 in the fourth quarter. Washington’s 19 turnovers during the game clearly didn’t help matters.
Gobert has earned NBA Defensive Player of the Year honors four times in his career and has earned his place on four All-NBA teams. Wizards center Alex Sarr — averaging 17.2 points, 7.8 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 2.3 blocks per game this season — finished with just seven points, three rebounds, four assists and zero blocked shots. The discrepancy in paint production between the two big men summed up the evening for both franchises.